Hackers Reveal How Flock Cameras Track Vehicles and Pedestrians

Hackers have successfully compromised a Flock Safety surveillance camera, extracting data that provides a rare look into the device's internal tracking capabilities. By physical removal and subsequent decryption of the device's storage, the hackers recovered logs and video files that demonstrate how the system monitors vehicles, license plates, and pedestrians. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with 404 Media and WIRED, reveals that the camera's computer-vision software is capable of identifying specific details, such as bumper stickers and clothing patches, while processing millions of images. Although some sensitive data remained encrypted, the breach challenges Flock Safety's claims regarding the robustness of their on-device encryption. The hackers have also released information on their methodology, aiming to encourage further scrutiny of these surveillance systems. This incident highlights significant privacy concerns regarding the widespread deployment of automated license plate readers and their ability to track individuals in public spaces.